Rubik's Puzzle World Review
By Gaetano Prestia
The Rubik’s Cube is probably the first true puzzle game. Every human being on the planet should have at least attempted to complete what has become one of the most intriguing and challenging puzzle games in history. Its simple design doesn’t compliment its frustrating difficulty and that’s where its beauty as a puzzle game shines through.
We’ve seen countless puzzle video-games over the years, but none that truly take advantage of the challenge offered by the Rubik’s Cube. Even still, there’s really only one way you can play with the puzzle, so turning it into a successful video-game would be just as challenging as the puzzle itself. Thankfully, developer Two Tribes has successfully implemented old-time favourites as well as some new ideas into the Rubik Cube mythology to provide us with Rubik’s Puzzle World, an enjoyable, if somewhat simple, puzzle title for the Wii.
Rubik’s Puzzle World is broken up into several different modes, including Create Mode, Guide, Switch, Fit and Deconstruct. There’s also the typical and surprisingly enjoyable 3D version of the basic Rubik’s Cube puzzle, which also provides hints and secrets to completion.
The modes in Rubik’s Puzzle World feel like they’ve been modelled on other games, although the modes in this title each have their own charm and direction. For example, Deconstruct mode is pretty much identical to Boom Blox, only it has far less impressive visuals and the controls aren’t anywhere near as solid. Still, it’s a simple mode that can be enjoyable. The best of the modes is easily Guide Mode, which has you guiding coloured blocks to the exit without allowing them to be destroyed. It can get quite challenging and through its increasing difficulty lays the games enjoyment factor.
The View mode is by far the most challenging, having you reconstruct a 2D puzzle of blocks into a 3D version of the one shown on screen. You’ll find yourself creating a perfectly created version of one side of the puzzle, yet the other sides will be completely different. While this mode isn’t the traditional method of playing the Rubik’s Cube puzzle, it’s a unique twist that takes advantage of its challenging aspects.
There are a few nice diversions from the main puzzle modes, such as music and creation mode, but neither really adds anything to the core gameplay. Both are there to allow you to customize the main menu screen, which is basically a montage of coloured blocks that represents how far into the game you are. From there you choose which modes you want to play.
While Rubik’s Puzzle World isn’t the most attractive title, the puzzles offer plenty of enjoyment and depth to warrant a purchase. The puzzles are mainly derived from well-known and popular games from previous generations, but with the added twist of the Rubik’s universe. There are plenty of mini-games and side puzzles to keep you entertained for a long, long time.
However, the game falls down in the multiplayer aspect. Puzzle games should shine in multiplayer modes, as the prospect of playing against another human being should add to the challenge. However, many of the puzzles are single-player focused, making multiplayer play quite unenjoyable and pointless. You’re mostly in a race against the clock, rather than directly competing against each other like you would in a game of Tetris for example.
The presentation is basic but smooth and bright. The basic layout is pretty bland, but some of the puzzles offer nice visuals and colourful presentations. It’s not a title that’s going to jump out at you, but the graphics really aren’t what this title is about. You’ll take more notice in the accessibility of the puzzles rather than how they look.
The Final Verdict
Rubik’s Puzzle World is a great collection of challenging puzzles. There’s plenty of content here to keep you entertained for a while. If you’re looking for a deep, accessibly and difficult puzzle title for the Wii, this is one of the better options. Some of the puzzles are downright boring, but a vast majority are deeply engaging. Multiplayer is rather pointless, but the game clearly has a single-player focused direction.
Gameplay
7.0/10
The puzzles range from extremely challenging to deeply enjoyable to downright boring. The majority of them are great fun to play through and the title is accessible enough, even for the more casual gamer. The gameplay is nothing revolutionary, but it gets the job done.
Graphics
6.0/10
You really shouldn’t expect anything more from a title like this. The colours are bright and some of the puzzles offer unique visuals, but overall, the presentation is basic.
Sound
6.0/10
Basic sounds and a decent soundtrack
Value
9.0/10
If you’re a puzzle fan, there’s plenty here to keep you entertained for a while.
Overall
7.0/10